Formal Board Paper 1 Annex 1.21 - Economic development

This document contains an evidence report for economic development within the Cairngorms National Park, supporting its Local Development Plan. It draws on various international, national, and local policies and strategies, including Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation, all aiming for a wellbeing economy that focuses on people and the planet, not just financial growth. The report highlights community wealth building, an approach designed to keep wealth within local communities, as a core principle. It details baseline information on the Park's economy, noting a decrease in the working-age population, an increase in older residents, and tourism as the largest employment sector. The report also examines skills, land availability, income inequality, and resident perceptions, concluding with implications for future planning to balance job creation with sustainable development and address local challenges.